// Conceptual Positions
Cultural Anthropological Position
6 topics
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The Anticipation When Planning a Hot Spring Trip
Examines anticipation as a seasonal transition ritual connected to Japan's unique 'hot spring cure' culture and the changing of the seasons. A trip to a hot spring town is viewed as retaining a pilgrimage-like meaning to a 'sacred place' even in modern times.
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Is Warming the Body Connected to Warming the Heart?
Against the background of concepts like 'tōji' and 'washing away the grime of the heart' in Japanese onsen culture, warming the body functions as socially shared healing of the heart. Culture strengthens the connection.
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What Do You Feel in an Era When Cafes Are Disappearing?
Examines the uniquely Japanese 'cafe culture' in comparison with Western cafe culture, viewing the process of disappearance as cultural transformation. The loss of Japanese customs like 'morning sets' and 'regular customer culture' thins out daily rituals and seasonal sensibilities.
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If You Were to Name Your Favorite Café, What Would It Be?
The act of giving names to places is a universal human endeavor to take the world as 'one's own.' Giving a name to a favorite store connects to the modern creation of 'pilgrimage sites' or 'personal sanctuaries.'
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The Atmosphere of a Cafe Just Before Closing
This examines the cafe just before closing as an expression of Japan's unique culture of 'beautifully accepting endings.' It sees the sensibility of cherishing transience, which resonates with the tea ceremony's 'one time, one meeting' and the beauty of falling flowers, residing here.
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Does Onsen Memory Remain in the Body?
The tradition of 'toji' (hot spring cure) in Japanese culture has positioned onsen as a place to 'purify the body and update memory.' Memory remaining in the body is not only individual but also the inheritance of cultural memory.